Karu decides not contest parliamentary election or be national list candidate

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya states that he will not contest the upcoming parliamentary election or become a national list candidate from any political party. 

Issuing a media release, the former Speaker states that he had received queries from various quarters including religious leaders and members of the media about why he is not contesting from either the United National Party or the Jathika Samagi Balawegaya or included as a national list candidate. 

Mr Jayasuriya said that he had tried till the end to unite the two factions of the UNP and reminded that he had publicly stated that he would not support either faction if these efforts did not bear fruit. 

"It is with great regret that I state that all these efforts have failed to succeed. Given this situation, I have resolved not to contest from either party or be considered for a national list slot," he stressed. 

The former Speaker thanked the various parties that had asked him to contest the election from their party or become a national list candidate. He added that he wishes that the difficult period faced by the country would be overcome and the way cleared to hold a free and fair parliamentary election.